BART commuters exits Embarcadero station during early morning rush hours in San Francisco Monday morning, June 29, 2009. BART and its two largest unions have agreed to extend labor contract through July 9 to continue ongoing new contract negotiations and forestall possible strike which would cripple the regions traffic and public transportation system. BART currently carries approximately 355,000 riders on a daily basis.

Photo: Stephen Lam, The Chronicle

BART commuters exits Embarcadero station during early morning rush...

Image 2 of 2

BART commuters exits the trains at Embarcadero station during early morning rush hours in San Francisco Monday morning, June 29, 2009. BART and its two largest unions have agreed to extend labor contract through July 9 to continue ongoing new contract negotiations and forestall possible strike which would cripple the regions traffic and public transportation system. BART currently carries approximately 355,000 riders on a daily basis.

Photo: Stephen Lam, The Chronicle

BART commuters exits the trains at Embarcadero station during early...

BART and its labor unions expect to spend today at the bargaining table struggling to find agreement on new labor contracts. But if they don't, BART's Board of Directors is poised to impose working terms and conditions - a move that could provoke a commute-crippling strike.

Transit officials said it was their "goal" to have a contract by today, and the board is scheduled to meet at 3:30 p.m. - behind closed doors - to discuss labor negotiations and consider whether its negotiators should impose on the unions the transit district's "last and best" offer presented at the bargaining table.

"If we can't see savings," said BART Director Lynette Sweet of San Francisco, "we do intend to do the unilateral contract."

With BART facing a $310 million budget deficit over the next four years, officials have demanded $100 million in savings over four years from their 2,824 unionized employees. They're targeting work rules that they blame for a runaway overtime budget - $29 million in the 2008 budget year - and seeking changes in employee benefits, which BART says cost the district an average of $44,000 annually per union employee.

"The riders are already paying more, management has done its part by making painful cuts," said Linton Johnson, BART spokesman. "It's time for the unions to step up to the plate."

Union representatives said Wednesday they were committed to staying at the table until they get contracts.

Negotiations began in April, and the four-year contract expired July 1.

"We're working closely with the other unions to try and get contracts," said Carlos Rivera, a spokesman for BART's largest union, Service Employees International Union, Local 1021, which represents 1,451 mechanics and clerical workers. "We're cautiously optimistic."

But if no agreement is reached, board President Tom Blalock said imposing working terms is just one option the board will consider. It could also decide to continue bargaining or press the unions to accept other proposals they had earlier ignored. But indications are that the board is fed up with the protracted labor dispute.

Imposing working terms would not force BART's unionized workers to strike, but workers would likely view it as a hostile act by BART management and directors, and that could spur a walkout.

"There is a very good chance that would happen," said Jean Hamilton, president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Local 3993, which represents 206 supervisors, middle managers and professional workers.

Union officials had promised to give a "reasonable notice" before going out on strike, but since their contracts have expired they are not legally obligated to do so.

A strike would create havoc for anyone attempting to get around the Bay Area. BART provides about 355,000 rides every weekday, and displaced passengers would overwhelm other public transportation systems, highways and bridges.

"BART carries 180,000 people a day across the bay," said Randy Rentschler, spokesman for the Metropolitan Transportation Commission. "We just don't have those kinds of numbers of seats lying around (on other transit). Inconvenience is going to rule the day if there is a strike."

BART officials have not disclosed a specific deadline, but union bargainers say it is likely the talks will continue late into the night.

"We've told our team to come tomorrow with their jammies and to be prepared to stay up all night if that's what it takes," Hamilton said. "We just need to get it done."